Audi A3 vs BMW 4 Series
The Audi A3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 39 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the BMW 4 Series, a 8 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Audi A3 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi A3 | BMW 4 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 39 mpg ✓ | 31 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 37 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 41 mpg ✓ | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,900 ✓ | $2,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 138 g/mi ✓ | 285 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0 | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (AM-S6) | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Regular, Premium and Electricity | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 36 | 160 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
A3 vs 4 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi A3 or the BMW 4 Series?
The Audi A3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 39 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the BMW 4 Series, a 8 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Audi A3 runs about $1,900 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,450 for the BMW 4 Series — a difference of roughly $550 per year.
What engines do the A3 and 4 Series offer?
Audi A3: SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0. BMW 4 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Audi A3 as Subcompact Cars and the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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Comparison id: audi-a3-vs-bmw-4-series